While a new year is a good time to draw a line in the sand and determine to do things differently, a page on a calendar is not usually sufficient motivation to make basic changes in one's life. The gyms and health clubs across the nation are packed with well meaning people hoping to develop a healthier lifestyle. However, after a month or two, the place gets back to normal and the unhealthy go back to their old, but comfortable, habits.
I would venture a guess that many reading this have already forsaken their good intentions and retreated to their comfort zone. Why is this? Is it that because they really don't want to be healthy, or lose weight, or learn more about a subject? Or is it that the price of accomplishing these things is too high in terms of time and effort expended or maybe even expense involved?
Perhaps we need to think about making changes in another way. Often times we make steps toward changes that would be nice to have, but are not essential in life, only to give up after the work and time involved is known. As I get older there are many things in life that would be nice to have, but am I willing to spend my time and resources on them when there are many more important things that are essential?
With making lifestyle changes, do you really need to be that different person or do you just want to be that different person. Wishing to stop smoking or be thinner is like wishing to win the lottery. I am pretty good at wishing, but I have found my chances of winning the lottery are almost as good as those who actually buy tickets.
Making changes comes from motivation and motivation does not come from a calendar. Even if your doctor tells you to loose weight or exercise more or you will die... you need to want to live longer. Why do you want to live longer? Is it because people count on you, or do you have something you are working on that needs to be completed? Or don't you care? The answer to that question will determine how much effort you will put into change.
Do you need more money or just want to be a better investor? Or do you wish for these things? You and your acquaintances can easily see the answer to all these questions when they look at the steps you have taken to achieving them. If you haven't done anything, you just have a wish and not a goal. If you do a little bit every day you will be moving toward your goal... whatever that may be. Over time, if you stick with it, you will see some results. Even if the don't completely hit your goal, you will much closer to it and be better off for your efforts. One more point to consider is that if don't have a time frame to define your success, it is difficult to say you really have a goal.
Getting back to the initial question, New Years Day has nothing to do with it. What matters is not the calendar, but you deciding it is time to move. How bad do you want to achieve your goal? Is there any reason you can't begin today? For your good, be careful that your reason is not just a convenient excuse.
Now, go get it! Seize the day!